Forest Technician-Headwaters District

Title: Forest Technician-Headwaters District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

Hiring Range: $37,000.00-$50,000.00

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Western Office Wise

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: The Department of Forestry is seeking to fill a Forest Technician position in our Headwaters District encompassing the counties of Smyth, Washington, Russell, Tazewell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Scott and Lee in the Western Region. This is a permanent position with residency requirements. Incumbent must live within Lee County within six months of hire. This position reports to the District Forester.

Incumbent performs paraprofessional technical forest management work in assigned work area.

Duties include: inspecting harvested tracts to ensure compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law; enforcing the Forest Fire, Water Quality, and Seed Tree Laws; protecting forested land in accordance with the Department’s Fire Readiness Plan as a responder; using heavy equipment in fire suppression and other activities; providing fire suppression training to local part-time crews and cooperators; assisting with fire prevention programs; collecting field data; providing oversight to contractors and crews on tree planting projects; and participating in special initiatives/projects as designated.

Minimum Qualifications

Natural resources and/or agricultural training/experience; basic wildland firefighting knowledge / experience; effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to effectively and efficiently work with minimal supervision; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals; ability to perform basic math functions; strong organizational skills; ability to correctly complete basic reports; valid driver’s license; ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot; ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion; and experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software required.

Additional Considerations

Knowledge and working experience of Best Management Practices for forestry and logging; experience in heavy equipment maintenance and operation; extensive training and experience in wildland fire fighting with a current red card; and experience and demonstrated experience in public speaking desired.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Must be able to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within twelve months of employment. As a responder for wildfires, must be willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons. Must pass moderate physical fitness test, per Federal guidelines, prior to employment offer. The test consists of walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack. Selected candidate is required to be drug tested and pass a criminal background check.
The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency, as such, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Estep

Phone: 434-529-7244

Email: kristina.estep@dof.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.